DISRUPTION OF PLANT MATERIAL TO READILY HYDROLYZABLE CELLULOSIC PARTICLES

摘要

A process for disrupting cellulosic biomass into a readily hydrolyzable cellulose powder consisting of gradually hydrating the paracrystalline cellulose while applying mechanical forces to strip away cellulose polymer chains as soon as the hydration negates the hydrogen bonds between adjacent polymer chains. A preferred way of attaining disruption is to rapidly agitate particles of cellulosic biomass in a container to form a gaseous suspension of the particles. The temperature of the suspended particles is raised and water is gradually introduced as a fine spray or as a vapor. The cellulosis particles become increasingly hydrated without the obvious presence of liquid water. The particles can be periodically dehydrated by increasing the rate of mixing while stopping the addition of water while venting water vapor to the atmosphere. The ultimate product is an extremely fine cellulosic power that is extremely susceptible to either chemical hydrolysis or enzymatic digestion to yield simple sugars.